The Hill City Rangers upset the pre-meet favorite McLaughlin Midgets to win the South Dakota Class A State Cross Country Championship Saturday in Huron.



In winning the first cross country title in school history, the Rangers completed the hat-trick: winning for the first time in school history each of the last three meets which included the Black Hills Conference meet, the Region 5A meet, and the most prestigious of them all: the State Cross Country Meet.



A soft and soggy course greeted the Rangers in Huron. Little could distract the Ranger boys, however, as they scored 40 points to easily outdistance runner-up Redfield (52) and third place McLaughlin(56).



Leading the way for the Rangers, as he has all season, was Andy Coy, who collected a the Runner-Up position, running 16:25. Andy finished in the top of every meet this season, and the state meet was no exception. Andy's time landed him on the awards stand for the second straight year and also earned him All State recognition, which is given to the Top 20 times at the State Meet, regardless of class. Andy had the 11th overall fastest 5k on the day.



Hudson Koel finished in the Top 10 for the second straight year, finishing in 8th place with a time of 17:12. Hudson really came through when the Rangers needed him most. Hudson is a senior this year and will be missed next season, as he will likely be lending his talents to a collegiate cross country squad next Fall.



Clint Lewis made the individual awards stand and ran the best race of his young career on Saturday. Clint finished the 5k course in 17:26 and finished as the 13th fastest Class A runner in the entire state of South Dakota. What a great season for a runner who didn't even plan on running cross country this season! Just a junior, Clint will be seen on future medal stands!



John Bintliff sealed the deal for the Rangers as the fourth runner,placing 46th in the boys race. John finished in 46th place, just behind McLaughlin's 4th runner. John is also a senior and has been a long standing figure on the Hill City cross country team. John's skills on the course and well as his unique personality will be missed.



Andy Quenzer also ran his fastest race when the stakes were the highest. Andy finished in a season's best time of 18:44 to finish in 62nd place: a huge personal record on a soggy and slow course! Andy is another senior and did a great job in his first and last season as a Ranger Runner.



Josh Robison was the final Ranger to cross the line. Josh finished in 100 place and gained valuable racing experience . Josh also played on the Ranger football team this season.



We are very proud of not only these boy's accomplishments, but also the class in which they have handled their success. Outstanding job guys!



Congratulations to the Running Rangers on a fantastic year!

RAPID CITY JOURNAL STORY (What do Andy and Ashiem have to say?)

SD Public Broadcasting Results/Pictures

RANGERS ARE ON DYESTAT: (This is how you know you guys are good!)

Meet Photos from Inertia

From the Argus Leader (They devoted a WHOLE SENTENCE to the Class A meet.)

"For the Class A boys, Eamin Entwisle led a West River sweep, beating Hill City's Andy Coy to the finish line. Coy probably isn't too upset, though. Hill City won the team title, holding off Redfield and McLaughlin."